Oh weapon favorites, so either A set them to a close range weapon ie most likely all weapons will fire, B set HCLs to your favorites. (its the empty star icon next to the weapon icon, once you pick a favorite ie select it, it turns gold.) Hope this helps.

Worst case scenario if the enemy is faster then you you will never enter weapon range.

Mercon, the ships were in "pursuit", "favourite weapon" were heavy beams and I also tried the "facing" mode. As I mentioned the enemies were (tarkas) colonisers and the combatants were basically parking opposite and were firing at each other. Well, since the tarka just declared war, I'll have enough chances to practise.